POV Tywin Lannister, Red Keep, King's Landing, Westeros; 283 AC
Tywin Lannister sat in the chambers of the king, his face impassive as he waited for his brother Kevan to deliver the report on the battle for King's Landing. The news was likely grim and Tywin was not very happy right now which was perhaps strange considering that he had managed to take King's Landing.
Several parts of his plan had not been fruitful however, for once he had not gotten word if the order he had given to Gregory Clegane and Armory Loch had been carried out successfully thoug that they hadn't been here yet didn't give him a lot of confidence that they had succeeded in their mission. What could have stopped a force of nature like Gregory Clegane Tywin wondered.
Additionally, he had made a deal with City Watch Captain Janos Slynt and managed to bribe the man into his service only to find out when he had arrived at King's Landing with his army that the man had been replaced by someone else.
Thus the battle was far, far bloodier than it would have been otherwise with the City Guards doing their best to protect the people of King's Landing from his bannermen.
"Tell me, Kevan, what is the state of the city?" Tywin's voice was calm, betraying none of the turmoil within him.
Kevan Lannister cleared his throat before responding, "My lord, the city has been taken, but not without significant casualties on both sides. The streets are littered with bodies, and much of the city lies in ruins. The men speak of a sorcerer wreaking havoc among our ranks, casting curses and spells with devastating effects."
Tywin's jaw tightened imperceptibly at the mention of a sorcerer.
"Don't jest with me Kevan and have the men spreading such nonsense flogged for their insolence" he spoke harshly but Kevan merely shook his head.
"Too many people are saying the same thing for these reports to be made up and well... apparently the sorcerer's existence has been common knowledge in King's Landing for some time now with his deeds to protect the smallfolk already becoming a legend among them as we are talking right now, they call him the "Bloody Protector". Our men are increasingly terrified that he is waiting to kill them from the shadows as the sorcerer as he was last said to have rushed into the Red Keep in great anger for some reason and has since not been seen"
his brother reported and Tywin's jaw tightened imperceptibly at the repeated mention of the sorcerer and he gritted his teeth in anger. He had heard rumors of such a figure, but he had dismissed them as mere superstition. Now, it seemed there was truth to the tales.
"There is also the matter of the stone knights" said Kevan, his voice carrying a nervous undertone which made the grey hairs on Tywin's back stand up.
"... Stone knights?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Indeed Tywin, the sorcerer seemed to have raised a dozen 7 foot tall knights made out of stone. They smashed through our lines like they were butter and it took approximately fifteen score men to fell them and to be honest I don't even think it was our men that eventually defeated the knights"
Stone knights, knights made out of actual stone, how was one to defeat such foes with swords and arrows?
"How so?" he asked his younger brother.
"They simply fell to the ground at some point during the battle, my best guess is that whatever magic that was used to raise them ran out after a while" Kevan said with a slight shrug and it was some consolation that these stone knights didn't last forever but still... if the sorcerer had the ability to raise almost invincible henchmen then... it was now most imperative that they found that man yesterday.
"... still I don't think I need to tell you what such an ability means Kevan"
"No Tywin, I may not be a genius military mind but even I can see the worrying implications of such an ability, Tywin"
"And what of the royal family?" Tywin pressed, his voice betraying a hint of concern.
"Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys have not been found yet and it is said that they have been taken to safety at Dragonstone by Admiral Corlys Velaryon. As for Princesses Elia and Rhaenys and prince Aegon" Kevan paused, his expression somber. "They have practically disappeared from the surface, but multiple servants of the castle have been interrogated and reported that Princess Elia and her children had stayed in her chambers all this time."
"Have them found as soon as possible, we need something to present to Lord Baratheon once he arrives tomorrow" he ordered and Kevan nodded, leaving the King's chamber room for a few minutes to give the orders. Weird, it's quite possible that his old friend Aerys choked to death somewhere around here.
Kevan returned a short while later and Tywin sighed, plotting how to deal with this almost disastrous situation.
"We must assess the situation and plan our next move." Kevan nodded in agreement, his features reflecting the gravity of their circumstances.
"Indeed brother, while the city is ours it will require extensive rebuilding. And we must address the matter of the sorcerer. His presence poses a significant threat to our forces."
Tywin considered Kevan's words carefully, his mind already calculating the best course of action. "Gather our commanders and prepare to secure the city. We will need to establish order and restore stability as quickly as possible. As for the sorcerer press the smallfolk for his location, do what needs to be done to find and deal with him. No one threatens the Lannister name and lives to tell the tale."
Kevin nodded in agreement and left the room to carry out his brother's orders, leaving Tywin alone with his thoughts. With a sense of resolve, Tywin rose from his seat, his gaze steely as he prepared to face the challenges ahead when in that very moment a servant entered hastily, his face pale with fear.
The tension in the air thickened as the servant approached Tywin's desk, his every movement betraying his trepidation. "My lord," the servant began, his voice trembling slightly, "there has been a development regarding Gregory Clegane and Armory Loch."
Tywin's eyes narrowed, his expression growing dark with anticipation. "Speak," he commanded, his voice cold and commanding.
The servant swallowed hard before continuing, "They have been found in Princess Elia's chambers. Their bodies... my Lord, Armory Loch is pinned to a wall with some sort of giant arrow made out of shadows piercing through his back and into the wall, the men didn't dare touch either the arrow or the corpse of Armory Loch"
A dangerous glint flickered in Tywin's eyes as he absorbed the news.
"And Gregory Clegane?" he asked dangerously. The servant gulped audibly but continued.
"My Lord we don't know what happened to him but while he is alive his body is shaking as if he had a fever and the man seems incapable of speaking anything other than gibberish. Additionally his mental state seems to have been reverted to that of a toddler."
... what in the seven hells?
It was now likely that the sorcerer had defended Princess Elia and her children but what did that say about the man? What sort of demonic powers did he posess to reduce a monster like the Mountain to such a state?
Tywin snarled, actually snarled in anger. The loss of two of his most formidable warriors, coupled with the disappearance of the royal family, ignited a fire of fury within him.
His jaw clenched tightly as he processed the implications of this latest revelation. "Find my son," Tywin ordered, his voice low and menacing. "Bring Jaime to me, now."
The servant nodded hurriedly before scurrying out of the chambers, leaving Tywin alone with his thoughts. Minutes later, Jaime Lannister entered the tent, his expression wary as he approached his father.
He was visibly exhausted from the battle... ah yes Tywin would still need to have his son punished for actually fighting against the Lannister men during the battle. Just where had he gotten wrong with his children?
"Father," Jaime greeted, his voice cautious as he took in the tense atmosphere. Tywin's gaze bore into Jaime's, his eyes ablaze with fury.
"Is it true?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Is there a sorcerer in King's Landing? Did he cause the carnage in the city?"
Jaime's mind raced as he considered his response. He knew he couldn't withhold the truth from his father, not now. With a deep breath, he began to recount everything he had witnessed and learned about Lukarion Peverell—the enigmatic man whose presence had shaken the very foundations of King's Landing.
"Yes, father," Jaime admitted, his voice tinged with apprehension. "There is a sorcerer in King's Landing. Lukarion Peverell is his name, and he is unlike anything I have ever encountered." Jaime proceeded to detail the events that had transpired in the king's chambers—the initial confrontation with Lukarion, the display of his extraordinary powers, and the shocking evolution of his connection to the royal family.
He recounted Lukarion's abilities to change his surroundings according to his will, his mastery of defensive spells, and his uncanny knack for predicting and thwarting their every move. Each apparent ability causing Tywin to frown a little more until he actually became worried...
He needed to find a way to have the sorcerer found and get him to his side.
What could he offer the sorcerer? Every man wanted something and that would not exclude the sorcerer. Gold maybe? Hmmm a lordship and a betrothal to his niece Joy Hill perhaps?
He could have the girl legitimised by Lord Baratheon... sure she had not flowered yet but that happen soon enough and beautiful she already was. Gerion would not like it but he would have no say in the matter and Tywin had no problem selling the girl to a barbaric sorcerer.
"As for his relationship with the royal family," Jaime continued, his voice grave, "Lukarion is deeply intertwined with them. He has pledged himself to Queen Rhaella as her personal advisor and protector, and he has shown a remarkable loyalty to her and Princess Elia" Tywin listened intently as Jaime relayed the information, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the gravity of the situation.
Tywin dismissed his son with a wave not without informing the boy that they needed to speak about Jaime's actions during the battle however.
This was not good, gods above why did such a man have to appear now? Why not.. say in a moon's time? Everything would have been handled by then but no...
Ugh Tywin really needed a drink.
**Scene Break**
POV Eddard Stark, King's Landing, Westeros; 283 AC
The gates of King's Landing swung open, creaking ominously as they welcomed the approaching armies of Robert Baratheon, Jon Arryn, Ned Stark, and Hoster Tully.
Ned couldn't wait for all of this to be over, it was simply way too hot down south of the neck and he wanted to find Lyanna and get back to the North... his family needed to heal from their loss after what the mad king had done... atleast that man was dead already.
Yet, as the conquerors entered the city and more importantly the they had fought so hard to claim, a palpable sense of unease settled over them like a shroud. The streets were eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustling activity that characterized the capital city.
Instead, they were greeted by a scene of devastation - buildings reduced to rubble, smoke billowing into the sky as a fire raged somewhere in the city, and the haunting sight of the city's inhabitants looking at the conquerors from the sides like lost souls.
Ned Stark and Jon Arryn exchanged troubled glances, their furrowed brows reflecting the weight of the situation. Something was amiss, terribly so, and the absence of the City Watch only deepened their apprehension.
Robert Baratheon, ever the brash and irreverent warrior, attempted to lighten the somber mood with an inappropriate jest, but his words fell flat in the face of the grim reality before them.
As they made their way through the city, flanked by uneasy Lannister soldiers, the sense of impending doom only grew stronger. The Red Keep loomed ahead, a foreboding symbol of power and authority, yet even its grandeur could not dispel the foreboding atmosphere that enveloped King's Landing like a suffocating cloak.
With heavy hearts and wary eyes, the leaders of the rebellion marched towards the throne room, their footsteps echoing hollowly in the empty corridors of the Red Keep. The truth awaited them within those hallowed halls, and they could only pray that they were prepared to face it.
Ned didn't find it a good omen that those servants they saw, few as they were, were glaring daggers at the Lannister men at arms which strengthened a rising suspicion in Ned's mind... but Lord Lannister couldn't have done such a thing, could he have?
'Of course he could... and he likely did considering the fate of the Reynes and the Tarbecks and what you have seen so far' a traitorous voice said inside his head.
When they entered the throne room they saw a grim faced Tywin Lannister sit in front of the Iron Throne on a large, grandious looking chair made out of leather. Flanking his sides were Kevan and Jaime Lannister.
Ned found it interesting that the young kingsguard was gazing regretfully into the distance causing Ned to question if the young lad had been part of whatever atrocity that had been commited in the last 24 hours.
"Lannister, where are the Targaryen cunts? Are they dead? In the Black cells? I want to smash their heads so let me see where you're keeping them" Robert said with a grin causing an uncomfortable feeling to well in Ned's stomach.
His foster brother's rising obsession with the Targaryens coupled with a need to punish them for sins that weren't theirs but of people that were already dead made Ned look differently at Robert these days.
"Lords Baratheon, Arryn, Stark and Tully, it is a pleasure to welcome you to King's Landing" Tywin Lannister said diplomatically causing Ned, Jon and Hoster to return the greetings.
"The Targaryens, Lannister, where are they?" Robert asked again, a frown now on his face. Tywin Lannister looked even older than he was when he said, "I think you should ask their new friend the sorcerer where they are... if you can find him that is because we haven't been able to lure him out of his hiding place so far"
"I didn't take you for someone believing far fetched mummers' tales, Lord Lannister" said Hoster Tully, the ridicule evident in his voice causing Lord Lannister to sigh loudly.
"If it was only that then I would agree but the nineteen thousand casualties we took during the battle that should have been mostly bloodless tell another tale. And sure most of those were likely killed by the City Watch but even with their numbers of around 10000 they couldnt have killed so many of my men with no help... I even had to sent in my reserve of 15000 men... additionally too many of my men are describing similiar looks and abilities for these reports to be entirely false"
"Seven hells..." muttered Jon Arryn and Ned couldn't help but agree.. an actual sorcerer in Westeros, that was not a good thing especially as he seemed ot have allied with the Targaryens.
"Leaving the matters of the sorcerer aside for a moment I find myself curious about something, Lord Lannister... aren't you allied with the Targaryens? I would have thought you would defend King's Landing together with the Targaryens" commented Hoster Tully again and Ned had to agree.. something wasn't right here.
"Just say you want to know why I betrayed Aerys... it's simple, it was clear who was going to win and let's just say I wanted to make the transition of power to a new royal family seemless and without complications" Lord Lannister said causing Ned to shake his head mentally.
Of course it was for his damned opportunism. They would need to treat carefully with the man, it was obvious he wanted something.
"Well I have to say, I wouldn't call what I have seen so far a seemless transition Lord Lannister" Ned commented causing Robert to laugh loudly, the laugh ending in a strong snigger earning the glare of Lord Lannister.
"I am aware of that Lord Stark and if it wasn't for the seven damned sorcerer then we would sit here with the Targaryens dead and the Lannister army still standing 35000 strong"
... why was Lord Lannister so forthcoming with his casualties Ned wondered, it sure wasn't in the man's character to do so.
'Is he perhaps lying about how many he lost?' Ned asked himself.
"Ugh this sorcerer again, let's just send out all our armies into the city and look through every corner for this damned sorcerer and be done with it. He won't be able to survive against almost 70000 men" Robert said, having a good idea for once while drunk.
"Agreed, after we have talked business of course" Lord Lannister said causing Ned to sigh.
"What do you want Lord Lannister?" he asked wearily causing the man to smirk, but only slightly.
"I have taken King's Landing for you Lords Arryn, Baratheon, Stark and Tully, letting you avoid a battle that would have costed you dearly especially with the sorcerer running around causing chaos wherever he walks. I propose an alliance to get rid of the remaining Targaryen loyalists in the Reach and in Dorne and for Lord Baratheon to take my daughter Cersei as his bride when he is crowned as king" the man said causing Ned and his allies to think about those words for a moment.
"Those demands seem reasonable but whyever do you think it is Robert that will become king?" asked Ned with great interest. While he had denied the offer of Jon to become king, Lord Lannister couldnt know that.
"Lord Baratheon is the only one unwed amongst you four and I am unwilling to accept anything less than my daughter becoming queen"
"I'm sorry to say Lord Lannister but that decision hasn't been made yet"
"Then let's make that decision now, in return I am offering to pay half of the coin needed for the rebuilding of King's Landing" Lord Lannister said, effectively ending the negotiations right there when Robert loudly said he agreed to the damned demands and would marry Cersei Lannister.
Sure he had done it without the input of either Ned, Jon or Hoster but they would have likely agreed anyway, Lord Lannister's offer was quite generous and he alone had likely more coin than the North, the Vale and the Stormlands combined.
"Good.. then let's return to the situation at hand. Do you have any leads where the sorcerer and the Targaryens could be, Lord Lannister?" asked Jon.
"It is most likely that Admiral Corlys Velaryon and Ser Darron Darklyn managed to smuggle Queen Regent Rhaella and Prince Viserys to Dragonstone."
The rest of the more well known knights were dead like Berret Graceford, Darron Yronwood and Rhaenon Velaryon or captured like Alliser Thorne and Preston Greenfield.
"Good.. we shall plan an attack as soon as possible. What about the others?" said Hoster.
"Agreed Lord Tully. Princess Elia and her children have disappeared from the Earth but I find it likely that the sorcerer is with them and is hiding them somewhere in the city as a few of my bannermen have been found dead in Princess Elia's chambers, one of them impaled by an arrow made out of darkness that has already killed three more of my bannermen when they tried to touch it. While it has seemingly lost in strength it is still there. I have already gotten the agreement of the High Septon to do this together as he is quite eager to see the sorcerer tried and executed. Queen Regent Rhaella apparently made quite a few enemies among the faith when she prevented them from going after the sorcerer" said Lord Lannister sending shivers down the backs of the other Lords present.
"No matter, we will have him begging for mercy soon enough" Robert said off handedly though Ned worried that the sorcerer was more resourceful than they were giving him credit for not to mention they had no idea what wide range of abilities the man posessed.
**Scene Break**
Third Person POV, Crownlands Countryside, Westeros; 283 AC
The crisp air of the Crownlands greeted Lukarion as he apparated away from the chaos of King's Landing, his mind reeling with the weight of recent events.
They appeared in a clearing amidst rolling hills where he had been when he first appeared in Westeros, the serene beauty of the countryside a stark contrast to the horrors they had just fled.
Elia sank to her knees as soon as they arrived, her body wracked with sobs and the remnants of her distress. Lukarion moved swiftly to her side, kneeling beside her and gently rubbing her back as she emptied the contents of her stomach onto the grass.
He whispered comforting words to her, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. Once Elia's retching subsided, Lukarion waved his wand to vanish the mess, sparing her any further discomfort. He helped her up, wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace.
"We're safe now, Elia," he murmured, his voice filled with reassurance. "Everything will be alright." Surveying their surroundings, Lukarion noticed Rhaenys still fast asleep, curled up against her mother's side.
With a soft incantation, he gently woke her, watching as her bright eyes fluttered open. "Ennervate," he whispered, and Rhaenys stirred, blinking sleepily. As soon as she saw Elia, Rhaenys reached out for her, a small whimper escaping her lips.
"Muna," she called out, her voice tinged with longing. Lukarion looked to Elia for an explanation, and she smiled weakly, brushing a strand of hair from Rhaenys's face. "Muna is High Valyrian and means mother" Elia explained softly, her gaze lingering on her daughter with fondness.
Understanding dawned on Lukarion, and he nodded in sympathy. "We'll find a way to make everything right, Elia," he promised, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "But for now, let's focus on finding shelter and rest. We have a long journey ahead of us."
Elia nodded and looked around, becoming nervous when she saw that they were surrounded by fields and hills, with no civilisation seemingly near them, the fields and hills merging seamlessly with vast stretches of grassland that seemed to stretch on forever. The sheer beauty of it all was enough to momentarily distract her from their precarious situation.
She looked at him with questioning eyes, "Where are we?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of wonder and distress. Lukarion turned to face her, his expression calm despite the turmoil swirling within him.
"We're in the Crownlands countryside, King's Landing is in the distance , behind that hill there" he explained pointing to one of the many hills around them, his tone gentle yet matter-of-fact. Elia's brows furrowed in confusion. "But how did we get here?" she pressed, her mind struggling to comprehend the sudden change in scenery.
He smiled in amusement "I used a technique my people call apparating, we think of a place we have been before and then wish us to said place and voila here we are in a different location. I should note though that the greater distance, the higher the risk of something going wrong as it becomes more and more difficult with higher distance."
"I... I think I will never not be amazed at how you can do all of this and just take it as something normal" she said in a small voice and he chuckled saying, "When I was introduced to magic I felt the same way but I guess humans get used to everything once it happens often enough" he said causing her to agree hesitatingly.
"But how are we going to find shelter...? We have nothing with us and I can see no village even in the distance" she asked with great worry while watching Rhaenys run around trying to catch a butterfly.
She then turned to him, "Are you going to use this appearating thing again?"
"While I could do so I would only be able to take us back to King's Landing as I have been nowhere else and I already tried apparating back home with no success when I first appeared here.. but no worries, I have something that will be quite fine for now"
Lukarion said as his lips curved into a small smile as he reached into his bottomless bag where all of his useful stuff (including his compartment trunk) was and pulled out his wizarding tent.
With a flick of his wand, the tent expanded to its full size, causing Elia to gasp in shock, whispering a quiet "seven hells".
He heard her gasp in amazement again as she stepped inside, her eyes widening at the sight before her, as she saw a spacious interior that defied the laws of physics. The tent was transformed into a cozy home, complete with furnishings and decorations that rivaled those of the Red Keep.
"Is there something you people can't do with your magic?" she asked, her voice filled with awe as she took in the marvel before her. Elia couldn't help but look at the man before her with awe, seeing him in a new light as a seemingly godlike figure in human form.
Meanwhile, Rhaenys laughed joyfully, darting around the living room with boundless energy. Lukarion chuckled softly at her question, a hint of pride shining in his eyes.
"Aunt Hermione used to say that if you have the imagination, power, and control of your magic, you can do almost anything," he replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
"You miss your home, don't you?" she asked gently taking his hand in her home and squeezing it causing him to smile sadly.
"Yeah I really do, I almost look forward to the scolding I'll get from mum for making her worry when I find a way back home." he said with a snort.
"Hmm... do you have an idea what might have brought you here?" she asked.
"No not really in one moment I was home preparing for a journey to another continent as we wanted to visit some distant relatives of my mother's family and in the next I was in Westeros... I am quite sure that whatever sent me here wanted me to help your family. So much time and the period I appear in is shortly before the downfall of the Targaryens? No that couldnt have been a coincidence" he said causing her to agree and send a thankful prayer to the Valyrian gods for sending this amazing man her family's way.
She saw him slump down on one of the beautifully designed chairs in the room and walked over to him, concerned about his health.
"Are you okay, Lukarion?" she asked gently but he waved her off with a smile.
"Yeah don't worry Elia, I am merely tired. The battle and all what happened took a lot out of me. This was the first time I've participated in an actual war and well it's been quite the day" he said with a humorless chuckle and for the first time she noticed just how weary he looked.
It didn't take long for Lukarion to fall asleep on the chair he was on after that.
Elia smiled as her heart was filled both with dismay at the loss of Aegon and with relief that atleast she and Rhaenys had made it out alive.
As she watched Rhaenys play, a sense of gratitude washed over her, knowing that they were safe for the time being under Lukarion's watchful gaze. For now she would not think about all they had to do in short order, that could come tomorrow.
End of Chapter